The Heir

Сhарtеr 238: Gе Qiu Jiе

Zhen Niang аrrivеd аt Li Fаmilу Village just befоrе nine in the mоrning. Entering thе соurtуаrd, shе saw a grоup of village women gаthеred tоgethеr, mаking tоfu in thе millhousе оn оnе sidе of thе yard, chаtting аnd laughing аs they workеd.

Tofu wаs a staрlе dish аt аll wеdding fеаsts—essentiаl fоr making mеаtbаlls, dumplings, аnd variоus оther dishes.

Zhеn Niаng greеted the womеn with a cheеrful smilе.

"Мiss Zhen is hеre," the womеn rеsрondеd wаrmlу.

"Frеshlу mаde tоfu рudding, nicе and hоt—have а bowl," оnе wоman оffеrеd, hаnding her a bowl.

Sinсe today wasn’t thе actual wеdding day, mоst of thоsе who hаd come were helpers. According to local custom, helpers were served a bowl of tofu pudding as soon as they arrived.

Of course, guests who came to offer congratulations on the wedding day itself would mostly be served a bowl of shredded pork noodles.

"Sounds good," Zhen Niang replied. Following tradition, she accepted without hesitation, taking the bowl and sitting on a nearby stone bench to eat.

As she was eating, Hua’er hurried out, looking anxious. Spotting someone, she asked urgently, "Have you seen Sixth Grandfather?" She stamped her foot impatiently as she spoke.

"Oh, I saw him this morning when I was frying meatballs—he even ate a few. Haven’t seen him since then," said the woman who had just served Zhen Niang the tofu pudding.

The others all shook their heads.

"Oh dear, could the old master’s confusion have come on again? We’d better look for him quickly. If he gets disoriented, he might even wander off and get lost," another woman worriedly remarked.

Just then, Li Jinhua also came out looking anxious, clearly aware that Sixth Master Li was missing, and began directing people to search for him.

"Let’s go look too," Zhen Niang said, putting down her bowl and taking Hua’er’s hand. The two of them headed out together.

They searched from one end of the village to the other but found no trace of him, so they returned home. Still, there was no news.

"What are we going to do? Aunt Jinhua asked me to look after Sixth Grandfather. If we can’t find him, I won’t know how to explain," Hua’er said, on the verge of tears.

"Don’t worry, Hua’er. Here’s an idea—go ask Aunt Jinhua where Sixth Grandfather usually likes to go when he has free time," Zhen Niang suggested after a moment’s thought.

Hua’er ran back inside and returned shortly, telling Zhen Niang, "Aunt Jinhua says Sixth Grandfather usually likes to go fishing at the lotus pond when he has nothing to do."

"Let’s go check the lotus pond then," Zhen Niang said. Even though Sixth Grandfather was confused, it was precisely because of his confusion—lacking conscious intent—that he would likely follow his usual habits.

"Alright," Hua’er nodded, having run out of ideas herself and now relying entirely on Zhen Niang’s judgment.

So the two of them set off toward the lotus pond together.

The lotus pond was nestled in a mountain hollow, and the path there ran along narrow ridges between fields. It was spring plowing season, and the soil along the ridges was still soft, marked with a few uneven footprints.

Seeing the footprints, Zhen Niang grew excited. "It must be Sixth Grandfather. These fields all belong to his family, and since today is the day before Changgen and Aunt Jinhua’s wedding, all the farmhands have been given time off. No one else should be around here."

"Mmm," Hua’er murmured, slightly relieved.

They quickened their pace and soon reached the lotus pond. But after circling it once, they still saw no one.

Hua’er’s spirits sank again."There's a small path over there, let's go take a look." Zhen Niang pointed toward a narrow trail by the mountainside.

Hua'er nodded.

So the two of them made their way along that small path into the mountain hollow. Unexpectedly, as they rounded a bend, they spotted a mud-and-thatch cottage.

"Ah, there's a household there. Let's go ask for directions," Hua'er said, quickening her pace.

Zhen Niang nodded. But as they approached the outer yard, they could see through the fence that Sixth Master Li was sitting inside the fenced-off courtyard, holding a bowl and drinking tea.

"Sixth Grandfather, what are you doing here? You scared me half to death, you know?" Hua'er cried out as soon as she saw Sixth Master Li. Without another thought, she pushed open the gate and entered the yard.

Sixth Master Li was clearly still in a daze. Sitting there, he only knew to drink water, paying no attention to Li Zhenniang and Hua'er, just grinning foolishly.

Just then, apparently hearing the commotion in the yard, a woman in plain clothes emerged from the house. She came face-to-face with Li Zhenniang and Hua'er.

"Qiu Jie..." Hua'er exclaimed in surprise once more.

Zhen Niang was also taken aback, raising her eyebrows slightly. She hadn't expected Ge Qiu Jie to appear in such an unexpected manner. It had been over two years since they last met.

Clearly, Ge Qiu Jie was also momentarily stunned by the appearance of Li Zhenniang and Hua'er. But she quickly regained her composure; after all, coming to Huizhou and meeting the Li family again was something she had anticipated.

"Oh, it's Zhenniang and Hua'er," Ge Qiu Jie greeted them.

"How did my Sixth Grandfather end up here?" Hua'er asked, frowning.

"This morning when I went to the pond to wash clothes, I saw the old master standing by the water's edge, looking rather confused. I was afraid he might have an accident, so I called him over. So he's your Sixth Grandfather," Ge Qiu Jie explained calmly.

"Qiu Jie, thank you," Zhen Niang said gratefully. Honestly, if Ge Qiu Jie hadn't called Sixth Grandfather over, who knows what might have happened if he had been left by the pond. So this thanks was necessary.

"It's nothing. I live in the village now; we're all from the same village. Looking out for each other is only right," Ge Qiu Jie replied with a faint smile.

Hearing that Ge Qiu Jie lived in the village, Zhen Niang couldn't help but ask curiously, "When did you arrive, Qiu Jie? Has Ge San Er's sentence been completed?"

"There were still a few months left originally, but later some friends of my father pooled some money and bought his release. We originally planned to return to Nanjing, but Grandpa Hu's hometown is here in Huizhou. After he stopped his job of emptying night soil in the yamen, he didn't want to stay in Nanjing anymore. So San Er and I accompanied him back to Huizhou," Ge Qiu Jie explained. The "Grandpa Hu" she mentioned was Old Hu Tou, the man who had taken her in years ago.

Ge Qiu Jie paused, then smiled again. "Huizhou isn't bad either. Usually, we rent a bit of land to farm. During the tea season and when mountain goods are in season, we trade a bit of tea and local products. I still have some connections in Nanjing, so making two trips a year allows us to save a little silver. Eventually, we'll be able to arrange a marriage for my brother."

Just as she was speaking, Ge San Er helped Old Hu Tou out of the house.

Ge San Er was always a bit simple-minded, so he naturally didn't greet Zhen Niang and Hua'er. But Old Hu Tou immediately told Ge San Er to bring stools.

Zhen Niang didn't stand on ceremony and sat down. Ge Qiu Jie poured water for Zhen Niang and Hua'er, then sat down opposite them."And what about you, Qiu Jie? Do you have any plans?" Zhen Niang couldn't help but ask.

Hua'er, listening to Zhen Niang's question, also turned her gaze to Ge Qiu Jie. Her older brother had never forgotten Ge Qiu Jie.

Ge Qiu Jie looked at the two of them and laughed heartily: "I'm waiting for Zhengping. If he marries again, I'll marry someone else. If he doesn't marry, then I won't marry either. This is what I owe him."

Zhen Niang hadn't expected Ge Qiu Jie to be so straightforward, but that was just her nature. She couldn't help but smile as well. Both of them shared a knowing look.

Hua'er, quick to speak, chimed in: "My brother still hasn't married, and it's holding me back from getting married too."

"Hah, you little girl, so you're in a hurry to get married," Ge Qiu Jie teased Hua'er.

Hua'er's blunt remark made her blush with embarrassment: "Pah! You just love making fun of me. I'm taking Sixth Grandfather back now. Aunt Jinhua is worried sick."

With that, Hua'er went to help Sixth Master up and headed out the door on her own, clearly flustered. Zhen Niang also stood up to follow, and Ge Qiu Jie saw them off to the door.

"Where there's a will, there's a way," Zhen Niang said, turning back before leaving. Now she understood: Brother Zhengping had been waiting for Ge Qiu Jie all along.

It was just that getting past Auntie would be difficult.

Ge Qiu Jie stood at the doorway, watching the three of them walk away.

Li Zhenniang and Hua'er had brought Sixth Master back, so everyone in the house finally breathed a sigh of relief and busied themselves again.

They worked until evening.

That night, after Aunt Jinhua had settled Sixth Master and Brother Run to sleep, she chatted with Zhen Niang outside the room.

It was then that Zhen Niang remembered the message Madam Su had asked her to relay at the city gate that morning.

Originally, Zhen Niang felt Madam Su's words were quite inappropriate. However, after all her aunt had been through, she was no longer the person who didn't know what to do when faced with difficulties. Zhen Niang figured her aunt would have her own perspective on Madam Su's words, so she relayed them anyway.

Upon hearing the message, Li Jinhua gave a light hum: "What she says is true enough, but she and I are not the same kind of people. Those who walk different paths cannot work together."

Zhen Niang smiled at this. Indeed, her aunt had a clear mind. Experience truly helps one grow.

With that, she said no more. The night passed without incident, and the next day was the wedding.

Zhen Niang rose early and, along with several other women, helped her aunt with her makeup and dressing. When the auspicious hour arrived, the wedding ceremony took place.

Afterward, there was a continuous banquet, with Aunt Jinhua and Uncle-in-law Changgen going from table to table to toast the guests.

Many relatives of the Li family had come, though of course, someone of Old Madam Li's status did not need to attend. After Aunt Jinhua's wedding ceremony concluded, she would take Uncle-in-law Changgen to pay their respects to the old madam.

The banquet lasted from noon until dusk. After most of the guests had finished their meals and left, Zhen Niang and the other Li family members, along with some helpers, gathered again to drink.

"Mother, I saw Ge Qiu Jie today. She's still waiting for Big Brother. She says if he doesn't marry, she won't marry either," Hua'er said to her mother, her face flushed from drinking.

Aunt Jingming glared: "Let her wait if she wants. Anyway, as soon as your brother arrives in Huizhou this time, I'll find him a wife. He'll marry whether he wants to or not."

"Mother, that's not fair," Hua'er pouted."The will of parents and the words of matchmakers, that is the principle." Aunt Jingming glared at her again, and Hua'er pursed her lips, saying no more.

"By the way, is Zhengping still in Nanjing?" asked a member of the Li clan nearby.

"Not at all. He went overseas last year and sent a letter back before the New Year. He should be able to return sometime this month," replied Aunt Jingming.

"Oh, going overseas? I've heard things haven't been peaceful lately. The Japanese pirates have been causing trouble again," said the Li clansman.

"Exactly. That's why, once he returns this time, I'll make him get married right away and forbid him from going overseas again," Aunt Jingming said with a worried expression.

"Aunt Jingming, whose ship did Zhengping go overseas with?" asked a woman from the neighboring table.

"He went with the ship from Huiyuan Bank," Aunt Jingming replied. Because of Zhen Niang's connection with Wang Cui, Li Zhengping had always traveled overseas on Huiyuan Bank's ships.

"Oh dear, that's not good. You should go back and inquire as soon as possible. When I came over at noon, I heard that Huiyuan Bank's ship was hijacked by Japanese pirates on the waters near Ningbo..." the woman said.

"Really?" Aunt Jingming's face immediately paled.